Suspects posing as a family raising money for a local fire department have been seen around East Milton and Bagdad, prompting authorities to warn residents of the scam.

East Milton Fire and Rescue Chief Robert Toole said Thursday that the scammers have been going door-to-door in the area for about a month, according to the accounts of multiple residents.

He said at first it appeared to be a man and young girl between 10 and 11 years old, saying they represented the East Milton Volunteer Fire Department, but recently residents have reported seeing a girl of the same age with a woman in Bagdad.

Toole said Bagdad is a different fire district, but the scammers are still saying they're with East Milton.

"I just want the word out to let people know do not donate money to anyone for East Milton because we do not go door-to-door," he said. "Elderly people, of course, they want to contribute and they don't ask a lot of questions. They just hand over money and say 'Have a nice day' and I just don't want anybody getting ripped off."

Toole said the department is working with the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office to identify the suspects. Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers at 850-437-STOP.